Dundee United have made a bid to sign Dougie Imrie from Hamilton, manager
Peter Houston has confirmed.

Houston, who is poised to accept the Scottish Football Association’s offer of a two-match ban for comments about an official, has revealed United are awaiting a response from Accies to their £25,000 offer.

Hamilton face Partick Thistle in the Irn-Bru First Division on Friday night and St Mirren in a William Hill Scottish Cup fourth-round replay on Tuesday and may be reluctant for Imrie, who is 28 and has also had a spell at Inverness, to depart before then.

“We have made a bid for him,” said Houston, who is looking to fill a space in his squad following Scott Allan’s departure to West Brom.

“When you’re working with a smaller squad, versatility is a good thing. I’ve seen Dougie play as a lone striker, as a striker, wide on the right, wide left and at left-back.

“He’s caught my eye when he’s played against us. I’ve watched him a number of times and he’s somebody I think would add to our squad.”

Houston is set to watch from the stands as United play at Clydesdale Celtic on Saturday after being disciplined for comments made following the 2-1 loss to Aberdeen on Jan 2.

The SFA on Thursday issued the Scotland assistant manager with a notice of complaint over remarks which allegedly breached SFA rule 68, which relates to statements about match officials.

Houston had claimed his side were denied a “glaring penalty” and ought to have had a throw-in the lead-up to Aberdeen’s equalising goal.

Houston was given until 1pm on Friday to respond to the notice of complaint from the SFA’s compliance officer, but is unlikely to contest the ban.

Houston, who is also set to miss the SPL fixture with Motherwell, said: “I just need to accept it. It’s in the rules that you can’t call them incompetent.”

Kello will leave if it helps Hearts

Goalkeeper Marian Kello is in no rush to leave Hearts despite their financial uncertainty – but would happily depart this month if the transfer money helps the club through difficult times.

Celtic have been linked with the Slovakian, whose contract expires in the summer, but he said: “It’s up to the club. If they really need money, I’m OK with that. I want to help the club.

“They gave me a chance to play for the club and it’s been an honour. So if they ask me to go because of the money, I will go. I will pay something back, it wouldn’t be a problem. I’m still happy here, it’s not like I’m trying to force myself out of here.

“I wish we could compete more with the Old Firm but the club is really good and it’s going to be very difficult to leave if I move.”

The first-team squad have been assured their January wages will arrive next week, and manager Paulo Sergio said: said: “I’m confident now. I don’t know if it’s going to be one or two days late or one or two days before, we have to wait and see.”

McGowan has no regrets

Paul McGowan insists he has no regrets about leaving boyhood heroes Celtic for St Mirren after picking up his Clydesdale Bank Premier League player of the month award for December on Thursday.

He said: “I told Celtic I wasn’t going out on loan again. It was either stay there and fight for my place or come to St Mirren and the chance was too good to turn down.

“I have no regrets. It was hard. I was quite down about it in the summer when it all came about but as soon as I signed it was a new chapter, a new start and I have never looked back.”

Butcher brings in Williams

Inverness have signed versatile Bradford player Steve Williams on loan. He can play centre-half or centre midfield and stands 6ft 4ins tall.

Manager Terry Butcher said: “We had a look at Steve for a couple of days in training last week and been impressed. With centre-half Chris Hogg’s cruciate injury ruling him out for the rest of the season, he gives us a good option at the back or in the centre of the field.”

Meanwhile, Inverness full-back Kenny Gillet has lost his appeal against the red card he picked up in their William Hill Scottish Cup tie against Dunfermline.

Francomb joins Hibs on loan

Hibernian have signed right-back George Francomb, 20, on loan from Norwich until June.

The defender goes straight in for tomorrow’s crucial league game with bottom club Dunfermline.

Francomb said: “I’m really pleased to be joining Hibs on loan – it is a big club with tremendous potential. I played with [Hibs defender]David Stephens at Norwich and he’s told me all about the club’s fanbase and you can’t help but be impressed by the training ground. My immediate aim is to get a regular run of games under my belt and help the team to climb up the table.”